In 1921, when opportunities for high school education were rare in the rural South, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia established St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock. Its primary purpose was to “meet the need in Tidewater of a standard school, at the least possible cost, for girls of character and ability.” Back then, students often arrived by steamboat, as there was no bridge linking Tappahannock with the Northern Neck and there was no government road to Richmond or easy way to reach a major metropolitan area, like Washington, D.C.
Today, St. Margaret’s remains a place for girls in grades 8-12 to live and learn in all aspects of life. At St. Margaret’s, girls gain strong academic skills, develop the very human skills of living and learning together, and fortify their character to lead and pursue their passions. Grounded in Episcopal values, it provides a welcoming, inclusive experience for girls from across the country and around the world. St. Margaret’s School has long prided itself on its inclusive nature and its ability to welcome girls of all backgrounds. The school currently has girls from 11 states and 14 different countries.
As the school celebrates its centennial year, students move through the same historic halls of a school dedicated to the holistic development of the girl. The creaky floors, the worn banisters are complemented with the voices of a committed faculty. All are deeply committed to their teachers’ craft and endearing passion for working beyond the classroom, on the fields, stages, and our noble Rappahannock River. All are informed by an Episcopal heritage bound by an honor code that binds the community to a higher purpose.
